My husband and I are visiting Belize for the first time, we will be staying at the tradewinds, it was not our first choice but because we waited so long to book our first few choices were sold out. From whatb I have read the Traadewinds have gottten good reviews from this message board, so I am hoping we made the right choice with our destination. Neither of us dive, we are just hoping to relax and hang out . Any advice for first timers who don't dive? We like the beach and we like to have plenty of cocktails.Any suggestions welcome, (ie rstaurants bars) Thanks

Hi Katie, we have stayed at the Tradewinds (their Paradise Villas) 3 times and it is our choice to go back there. Nice units, nice grounds, secure and close to everything without being right in the center of the noise and bustle (such as it is, all relative). The pool is a nice touch, with plenty of room to sun and very seldom crowded (again, relative). Downtown is a pleasant stroll down the beach away. Our favorite restaurants have always been Estels for breakfast or lunch, and for dinner, Papis or the Reef. It is extremely difficult to find any eating establishment that is less than good. Just wander around and get the feel of the place, you'll be at ease very quickly. Even if you don't dive, do a snorkel trip, it's a whole new world. Check out the Belikin beer, it is great. for more exotic cocktails you may have to hit some of the better restaurants, but rum drinks are pretty readily available anywhere. If you like to mix your own, the grocery store is a stones throw away and they carry a good selection of liquor.Now to the beaches. The beaches are not the greatest, no wide span of white sand available, and turtle grass in the water, not everywhere, but big patches of it. Good for snorkeling right off the beach.The sad part is that we just returned from the island of Culebra off Puerto Rico, as the girls insisted they needed the beautiful white beaches this year. No AC this year. In retrospect, we are not going back there. The beaches were beautiful as a postcard, but the beach we were on also had sand fleas. We were tied to a rental car for our wanderings, and we couldn't find any food that we couldn't easily get in the states. General consensus of the whole party was that we are going back to AC next year, and regain the relaxation that we didn't find on this vacation. AC gets in your blood and sets the bar for all other vacations.So, go, get yourself on island time, have a Belikin on the beach. Eat something you don't usually eat, and just relax. You will have a great time. If you have been to other Carribean locations, be prepared for folks that are friendlier and generally happier to see you. You are more than just a "customer" to them, you are a new friend.

Fishing: Ramon or Severo Guerrero, phone 226-2325, 226-2324; great fishermen and fun to spend a day with; they cook a great beach picnic with your catch and will send fillets back with you for restaurants to cook for future meals

Sailing: Geraldo Badillo, 226-2264, fun and serene

Parasailing: Fido's Dock

Great local food: Los Cocos restaurant on north end of town, off middle street past Richie's Supermarket; wonderful whole fried snapper and fish fillets

Don't forget there will be enough tour options to keep you busy. Manatee watch, ruins, cavetubing, and snorkeling to name just a few. There is also kayaks, seadoos, windsurfers, hobies to rent. I hear the tour on those two man speed boats are also alot of fun. The point is you will find plenty to do above water. Your hotel can set you up with any activity. Have fun!